Renoir Lesson Extension Activities

Renoir is best known for helping to establish Impressionism.  This style concentrated on natural unposed outdoor scenes, and dappled light. Instead of focusing on details, they used quick brush strokes to capture bold color rather than precise form. Renoir’s paintings were generally devoted to pleasant scenes of children and landscapes.  

Vote:

The artwork we created this month will be printed onto gospels by the Pocket Testament League! Please volunteer to help with assembly if you can, and vote for your favorite two images.  The winning artwork will be professionally printed and distributed.

Read:

(note: the links below are affiliate links - thank you for your support.) 

Pierre-Auguste Renoir, The Primary Source Library of Famous Artists by Catherine Nichols

A simple yet detailed biography

 

Renoir and the Boy with the Long Hair by Wendy Wax

Fun story with a mixture of real art pieces and illustrations

 

Play:

• Do you know where impressionism started?  Check out these great maps, and play online games
• Learn vocabulary - print your own word search
• Watch to learn more about the beginning of impressionism

Create:

• If you missed class, full instructions are available: Renoir inspired artwork
• Don't forget to take out your supplies and experiment with them!  Lots of great oil pastel and watercolor resist inspiration is available here
  

Consider:

Renoir once wrote, “I believe that I am nearer to God by being humble before this splendor (nature); by accepting the role I have been given to play in life; by honoring this majesty without self-interest, and, above all, without asking for anything, being confident that He who has created everything has forgotten nothing.” -source

What helps you to feel near to God?

Look up the word humility.  Do you think it is an important trait?

Toulouse-Lautrec Extension Activities

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was only a little over four and a half feet tall at maturity, but his impact on the world of art was larger than life.  

Read:

I hope you will have time to take a look at my absolute favorite book about this artist: Great Names: Toulouse-Lautrec 19th Century French Painter by Diane Cook. {affiliate link}  It has wonderful illustrations, accurate history, and handles delicate topics in a respectful yet factual way.

Create: 

• Practice drawing faces with proportion grids online.  Scroll down to view all of the instructions.
• Try using your water paints to complete this coloring page of Toulouse-Lautrec's painting.  Don't forget to use eye-catching colors! 
• Do another copy with marker, and a third with crayons.  Compare the results.  Which looks most like the original oil painting?  

Marcelle Lender doing the Bolero in 'Chilperic'
1895
Private Collection{{PD-Art}} 

Consider:

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec died at a very young age because of the poor choices that he made.  

The Bible says a lot about keeping ourselves healthy.  Many people may respond "Who cares?  It's my body, isn't it?"  Well, to be honest, the answer from the Lord is a resounding, "I care, and no, it really isn't your body to begin with.  I created you, I died for you, and I love you even more than you love yourself."

Here is the direct quote from 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." 

We all make mistakes.  Encourage your child to discuss the many ways that life can be hard.  Remind them that Jesus said, “I have overcome the world.” He can help where alcohol and other indulgences cannot. He does not always make our problems go away, but He has promised to help us.

If you have any questions feel free to get in touch with me or call New Hope at 345-7203.

Homer Extension Activities

Isn't it is amazing to think that such a talented artist lived right here in New England?

Winslow Homer's life was truly fascinating. Check your local library to see if you can borrow a copy of Winslow Homer: An American Original - it is an old but fun movie. My husband even enjoyed this one.

Sit with your child and look through several of Homer's works. Some are rather thought provoking. The Gulf Stream, which we discussed in class, shows a man in great danger. You may want to discuss Psalm 56:3-4 "When I am afraid I will trust in you. In God whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid."Remember our discussion of contrast? Take a look at these two works by Homer. They are very similar. Do you think that the use of contrast made a difference between Sailing the Catboat and Breezing Up? - How many other differences can you find?

Looking for a hands-on project? Try learning to draw like the school children of Winslow Homer's time. Or take on his favorite medium, watercolors! Don't forget to use your crayons this month. Crayola always has great ideas at their site.

The National Gallery of Art has created a fun printable document with lots of games and info about Winslow Homer. Get it at: www.nga.gov/kids/homerscoop.pdf

Did you know that Winslow Homer was buried only about an hour from here? If you happen to be near Cambridge this month, take a quick look at his gravesite in Mount Auburn Cemetery. (While you are there you might be interested in seeing the burial sites for Nathaniel Bowditch, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, among others.)

Don't forget to stop by your library this month to see your artwork on the new bookmarks that they will be giving away!